Partick Thistle 2 - 1 Aberdeen

About 18,000 spectators witnessed an exciting game at Firhill park, Glasgow, where Partick Thistle just managed to beat the strong-going Aberdeen. It was a hard and fast game throughout, and although accidents were numerous play was never rough. Aberdeen were slightly more dangerous company in the early stages, and a goal, scored by Middleton after great work by Smith, livened up the Thistle forwards. Salisbury was in great form, and after a dashing run, he gave Kinloch a splendid chance, but the inside right lifted the ball over the bar. Shortly before the interval Salisbury again beat the Aberdeen defence, and this time Kinloch headed past Blackwell. After the interval Aberdeen were rarely seen in the game except as defenders. Blackwell, Forsyth, and Milne, however, put up a great fight, and only thirteen minutes remained for play when Carlow, who had gone into centre, took advantage of a slip by Hutton, and scored the winning goal.

Source: The Scotsman, 27th November 1922

Aberdeen suffered yet another defeat, Partick Thistle beating them at Firhill Park, Glasgow, by 2 goals to 1. On a dull, rather dismal afternoon, and with the enclosure partly enveloped by fog, there were about 12,000 spectators. The game was brimful of incident, and, fought at a terrific pace, it was not surprising that there were numerous stoppages for injuries to players. At one stage, after they had taken the lead, it looked as if Aberdeen would win, but lapses in the defence led to their undoing. Early in the game the goalkeepers were called into action. Ferguson had to hold a fast ground shot from Smith, and at the other end offside tactics spoilt several good forward movements by the Thistle. Macfarlane appeared to have the Aberdeen goal at his mercy when he shot into Blackwell's hands at point-blank range. Subsequently the Aberdeen attack got going, and with the bail being swept, from wing to wing the Thistle goal was often endangered. On one occasion a clever combined movement by all five forwards looked like realising a goal, but Connon was charged down by Bulloch when in the act shooting. Macfarlane, the home centre-forward, was hurt in collision with Milne, and had to be assisted off. MacLachlan, too, was in the wars, and had be attended on the touchline. It was while both teams were playing a man short that Aberdeen took lead. Smith got possession just over the half-way line, and tricking Wilson and in brilliant style, he sent over a wonderful centre from close to the corner flag, and Middleton, running in, headed past Ferguson. Smith's performance was the most brilliant piece of individual play in the game. Shortly after the Aberdeen success, Macfarlane and MacLachlan were able to resume, and terrific pace was maintained. Well plied by Connon, both the Aberdeen wings responded finely, and Smith on the left repeatedly earned applause for his clever play. Following a corner forced by Smith, Ferguson did well to save at the bottom of upright from Rankine, and Connon missed narrowly with a header after Middleton had crossed.

Equalising Goal

Towards the interval Thistle attacked strongly, and with five minutes of the period to run they got on level terms. A centre by Carlow was headed weakly out by Hutton and Macfarlane, getting possession, passed the hall out to the left. Salisbury's cross was missed by Blackwell, and Hutton, practically under the bar, headed out for Kinloch to meet the rebound and head into the net. Before the interval Connon came near to giving Aberdeen the lead, his shot, off a judicious pass by Smith, finding the outside of the side-net. Aberdeen had been the much better balanced side, and should have been able to improve upon the 1 ?1 draw at half-time.
At the interval Smith and MacLachlan both had injuries dressed in the pavilion, but were able to resume. On the Thistle side Carlow and Macfarlane changes places. In the earlier stages play favoured Aberdeen. Connon had a shot blocked by Wilson, and for a period of five minutes the ball hovered near the Thistle goal. It was left to Salisbury raise the siege, and after he had flashed the ball across the Aberdeen goal, to be missed by half a dozen players, Thistle rallied, and Aberdeen were kept defending, Forsyth, and Milne rendering yeoman service. Connon brought relief, but lost possession to Bullock when about to shoot.

Miraculous Escapes.

Subsequently the Thistle goal underwent a series of miraculous escapes. Middleton centred, and the ball was palmed down to Grant's foot by Ferguson. The Aberdeen player failed to take the chance, however, and his rolling shot was pushed away by Ferguson, who was at full length. The ball went, to Rankine, who slipped to Connon, and the latter's terrific shot hit the crossbar to rebound to the Aberdeen centre-forward. This time he again drove with great force, but by great effort Ferguson was able to knock it down, and Bulloch completed the clearance. It transpired that in effecting a second save from Connon Ferguson had dislocated his shoulder. He was assisted off, and Wilson went in goal. Shortly afterwards Grosert was hurt.

The Winning Goal

Again on equal terms, both teams struggled desperately for the lead, and fifteen minutes from the close Thistle obtained the winning goal. Lambie, who was a strong factor in the Thistle defence, lobbed forward a high ball. Hutton went to head clear, but only deflected the ball to Carlow, who tapped it into the net past Blackwell as the Aberdeen goalkeeper went to intercept him. Following upon this Ferguson, who had his shoulder reset, resumed for Thistle, and saved a tremendous drive by Milne. Near the close Connon nearly fastened on to pass-back from Bulloch to Ferguson, but O'Hare came to the rescue after the goalkeeper had lost possession. Time arrived with Aberdeen pressing and rather unfortunate to surrender the points. It transpired that Grosert had been kicked on the front of the leg below the knee, and he is not likely to be able to play again for some time.
On the run of the game Aberdeen were in no way inferior to Thistle, and but for Hutton's slips they would probably have won. On the Aberdeen side the outstanding performers were Forsyth; Milne, MacLachlan, Rankine, and Smith. Thistle were best served by Ferguson, Bulloch, Lambie, Ballantyne, and Salisbury.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal 27th November 1922